20 
The Council begs to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of the following 
donations : — S. E. Mead, Esq., 5s. ; George Avenell, Esq., 21s. ; T. Windsor, Esq., 
20s. ; Rev. A. R. Miles, 2s. 6d. ; Miss L. Marshall, los., and 20s. subscription 
for two years; and also subscriptions of los. from W. H. Maw, Esq., F. R.A.S. ; 
25s. from C. S. Ricardo, Esq. ; los. from E. A. Bristow, Esq. ; and 21s. from 
W. Whitwell, Esq. 
The following new members have joined this year : — 
J. S. Phillips, Esq., Sydenham. A. T. Mellor, Esq., London, W. 
Miss E. A. Long, Stamford Hill. W. H. Maw, Esq., Kensington. 
Thos. Windsor, Esq., Great Budworth. Mrs. Marion Smith, Birmingham. 
J. F. Paul, Esq., Bury St. Edmunds. J. Rawlins, Esq., Cirencester. 
SELBORNE SATURDAY AFTERNOONS. 
Saturday, December 8. — Thirty-six members met at the Natural History 
Museum and Professor Boulger gave a demonstration on the cases in the 
Botanical Gallery, illustrating the disposal of seeds and of pollen by animals, the 
defences of plants against the attacks of animals, and the adaptations of plant 
structure for the capture of insects. 
Saturday, January 12. — St. Paul’s Cathedrai,. Meet Mrs. Percy Myles 
at the West door (inside) at 2.15 p.m. sharp. The Rev. Henry .Scott-Holland, 
Canon of St. Paul’s, has kindly consented to act as guide to the Selbornians. 
Saturday, January 26. — Naturai, History Museum, Geological 
Department. Meet Mrs. Percy Myles in the Entrance Hall of the British 
Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, at 2.15 p.m. Dr. A. Smith Wood- 
ward, Assistant Keeper of the Geological Department, will give a demonstration 
on fossil fishes. 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
Clapton (Lower Lea Valley). — At the monthly meeting held at the 
North-East London Institute, on Saturday, December 15, Mr. S. Allnutt read a 
paper, entitled “ Some Un-natural Natural History.” He quoted some inter- 
esting and amusing examples of early theories of the Universe, and of cosmog- 
raphy, and described some of the monstrosities, human, animal, and vegetable, 
which were, in mediteval times, confidently asserted, and credulously believed, to 
exist in the less known regions of the earth. 
The next meeting will be held on January 19, when Mr. F. Gilbard, F.I.C., 
will deliver a lecture (with lantern illustrations) on “ Microbes : Good and Evil.” 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
A. C. — Isolated phenological observations, even when the species is precisely 
ascertained, are of little general interest. A ten-year average, with maximum 
and minimum is much more useful. 
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
1. All communications for Nature Notes must be authenticated with name 
and address, not necessarily for publication. 
2. The return of an unaccepted contribution can only be guaranteed when it 
is accompanied by a stamped and addressed envelope. We cannot undertake to 
name specimens privately, to return them, or to reply to questions by tetter. 
3. All communications for any number must be in the Editor’s hands by the 
loth of the preceding month. 
4. Communications for Nature Notes, books for review, -ipecimens for 
naming, &c., should be addressed to the Editor, Professor Boulger, F.L.S., 
F.G.S., care of Messrs. John Bale, Sons and Danielsson, Cireat Titchfield 
Street, London, W. ; letters connected with the business of the .Society, enquiries 
as to the supply of the Magazine, subscriptions, &c., to the .Secretary, A. J. 
Western, Esq., 20, Hanover Square, W. 
